Phrasal verb
buy out
Meanings
To buy someone’s share in a business or property so they no longer own part of it.
To purchase an entire company or business so you own and control it.
Definition
To buy out means to purchase all of a business or someone’s share so you control it fully.
To buy out someone means to pay money to purchase their share or rights in a company, property, or agreement. After a buyout, the buyer gains full control or removes the other person’s involvement. It is often used in business situations, partnerships, and contracts.
Examples
- I decided to buy out my co-founder after we disagreed on the company’s direction.
- They plan to buy out the local bakery and keep the staff on.
- She managed to buy out her former partner and run the studio alone.
- We couldn’t buy out the other shareholders without their approval.
Common mistake
Learners often confuse buy out with buy up; buy out focuses on gaining full control by purchasing someone’s share or the whole business.
More phrasal verbs
- go on To go on means to continue or keep happening.
- carry out To carry out something means to do it or complete it, especially a plan, task, or instruction.
- set up To set up means to arrange or prepare something so it is ready to use or happen.
- pick up “Pick up” most commonly means to collect someone or something from a place, usually by going there.
- go back To go back means to return to a place, time, or earlier situation.